Chicago Fire trade Chris Rolfe to DC United for allocation money

After more than seven years with the Chicago Fire, attacking midfielder Chris Rolfe is headed to the nation's capital after he was traded to D.C. United on Wednesday in exchange for allocation money.

A veteran of 178 regular-season games in MLS, all with the Fire, Rolfe has scored at least four goals in every season of his career. He missed two games this March with a bruised foot, but returned as a substitute in Saturday's 2-2 tie against D.C. United. Rolfe also played and scored in a reserve friendly against the NASL's Indy Eleven on Tuesday night at Purdue University.

“The allocation money that we received in this trade will give us more flexibility and freedom moving forward,” Fire head coach Frank Yallop said in a club statement. “It’s always difficult to part ways with someone who has been part of the club for multiple years, but with our existing depth, we felt that this was the right move to make.”

Rolfe is an Ohio native who was drafted by the Fire in the third round of the 2005 SuperDraft after playing collegiate soccer at the University of Dayton.

After twice leading Chicago in scoring (2005, 2008), he left MLS to play for Aalborg in the Danish Superliga in January 2010. He returned to the club in April 2012 and was named Fire MVP after once again leading the Fire in scoring.

“Chris brings great technical ability as well as national team and European experience to our club,” said D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper in a club statement. “He plays with a high soccer IQ and will give us more options in our attack.”

Rolfe is the ninth acquisition by D.C. United from inside the league since the end of last season.